7 Best Vacuums for Carpets 2025

This ultra-lightweight powerhouse redefines what budget-friendly vacuums can achieve. Weighing just 7.7 pounds, it’s a dream to carry up stairs or lug between rooms, while its 10.5-inch cleaning path and 700-watt motor deliver surprisingly robust suction across both carpet and hard floors. The dual-action capability makes it a flexible choice for homes with mixed flooring, effortlessly tackling surface debris and embedded dirt without breaking a sweat—perfect for users who want performance without the bulk.

In real-world testing, the Eureka Airspeed handled low- to medium-pile carpets with confidence, lifting pet hair and crumbs in a single pass. Its bagless design and washable filter reduce long-term costs, a major win for budget-conscious households. However, deeper carpet pile exposed its limits—repeated passes were needed for stubborn messes, and the small dust cup required frequent emptying during whole-room cleanups. While it lacks advanced filtration or motorized brushrolls, it excels at daily maintenance and quick cleanups on lighter carpeting.

Compared to heavier uprights like the Shark NV356E, the Eureka trades deep-cleaning power for unmatched portability and ease of storage. It’s not built for allergy sufferers or homes with thick carpeting, but for renters, seniors, or anyone seeking a no-fuss carpet companion, it delivers solid value with minimal effort. If you prioritize lightweight agility over raw cleaning muscle, this model stands tall among entry-level uprights—offering far more capability than its price suggests.

The Shark Navigator NV356E is a game-changer for pet owners battling carpet chaos. With swivel steering and lift-away functionality, it glides around furniture and detaches into a handheld unit for spot-cleaning couches or stairs—making it the most versatile carpet vacuum in its class. Its HEPA filter and anti-allergen seal trap 99.9% of dust and allergens, a critical feature for sensitive households, while the 0.87L dust cup allows longer cleaning sessions without interruption.

During testing, the motorized brushroll dug deep into medium-pile carpets, extracting embedded pet hair and dander with ease—outperforming many pricier models. The brushroll shutoff is a standout: one click switches from aggressive carpet cleaning to gentle bare floor mode, preventing scratches. However, its bulk and 15.5-pound weight make it harder to carry upstairs or store in tight spaces. On high-pile rugs, it occasionally struggled with traction, requiring a slower pace to avoid scattering debris.

When stacked against the Bissell CleanView or Eureka models, the Shark NV356E offers superior filtration and pet-specific tools, but sacrifices some portability. It’s the ideal pick for homes with pets and allergy concerns, where deep carpet cleaning and allergen control are non-negotiable. While it’s heavier than most, its cleaning power and versatility crush the competition—delivering professional-level results at a fraction of the cost of premium canisters.

The 2024 Bissell CleanView Swivel brings next-gen carpet cleaning to the mid-range market with its Triple Action Brush Roll and active extension wand—a combo that loosens, lifts, and removes deeply embedded grime like few others. Its multi-cyclonic suction system maintains airflow even as the bin fills, ensuring consistent performance across medium to low-pile carpets. For pet owners, the Scatter-Free Technology is a revelation: it contains messes instead of flinging debris, a common flaw in budget models.

In real-world use, this vacuum navigated tight corners with ease thanks to its swivel steering, and the easy-empty dirt tank minimized mess during disposal—a small but meaningful upgrade. On plush carpets, it required two passes for full debris extraction, but on standard carpets, it delivered near-Shark-level results. The extension wand made above-floor cleaning more effective than most uprights, though it still can’t match a true handheld. Battery-free operation means unlimited runtime, a major plus for large homes.

Compared to the Shark NV356E, it lacks HEPA filtration and a detachable pod, but beats it in maneuverability and ease of emptying. Against the Eureka, it offers far superior deep-cleaning power and carpet agitation. It’s the sweet spot for homeowners who want premium carpet care without premium clutter—ideal for families with kids and pets who need reliable, hassle-free cleaning. With better engineering and smarter features than its price implies, it’s a quiet champion among mid-tier uprights.

The Bissell Featherweight 2033M is the ultimate speed demon for carpet spot checks—a stick-thin, 6.5-pound marvel that turns quick cleanups into a 60-second ritual. Its instant-on suction targets coffee spills, cereal crumbs, or tracked-in dirt before they settle, and its convertible design lets you go from floor to stairs to car interiors in seconds. While not built for whole-home carpet deep cleans, it shines in agility and convenience, making it the go-to for low-pile rugs and surface-level messes.

In testing, it handled low-pile carpets and area rugs with decent pickup, though deeper fibers revealed its limited suction depth—fine for daily maintenance, but not for weekly thorough cleans. The 0.67L dirt cup fills fast, and the non-motorized brush means it relies on push force to lift dirt. Still, its three-in-one versatility (stick, handheld, stair vacuum) and wall-mountable design make it a space-saving hero for apartments or multi-level homes. It’s not a primary vacuum, but as a secondary cleaner, it’s unbeatable for speed and storage.

Compared to the RENDOW cordless or Shark Rocket, it lacks power and filtration, but costs a fraction and takes up no floor space. It’s perfect for college students, small apartments, or anyone needing a grab-and-go carpet touch-up tool. If your carpet care needs are light and fast, this model delivers maximum convenience with minimum commitment—a nimble sidekick rather than a main warrior.

The RENDOW cordless vacuum is a sleek, high-output beast that dominates carpet cleaning with 45KPa of hyper-suction and a tangle-free V-brush—making it the most powerful carpet-capable cordless stick under $100. Its 550W brushless motor digs deep into high-pile rugs, extracting pet hair and fine dust that lesser vacuums leave behind, while the green LED headlight reveals hidden debris under furniture—a game-changer for thoroughness. The 65-minute runtime easily covers 2,500 sq ft, making it ideal for whole-home carpet maintenance without recharging.

In real-world use, the anti-tangle brushroll lived up to its name, slicing through long human and pet hair with zero clogs—a common pain point in stick vacuums. The smart LED display provided real-time feedback on battery, suction mode, and maintenance, adding a premium feel. On thick carpets, it maintained strong suction across all three power modes, though max power drained the battery in under 20 minutes. The self-standing design eliminated storage hassle, and the 6-in-1 tool kit made it effective on stairs, upholstery, and ceilings.

Against the Shark Rocket or Bissell Featherweight, the RENDOW offers far greater power and versatility, though it lacks HEPA filtration. Compared to the Shark NV356E, it’s lighter and more agile, but can’t match its deep allergen-trapping seal. It’s the best overall carpet vacuum for tech-savvy users who want cordless freedom and serious cleaning muscle—delivering near-premium performance at a mid-range price. For pet-heavy homes with mixed flooring, it’s the most complete package available.

The Shark Rocket HV301 is a corded dynamo that delivers uninterrupted, full-power cleaning—a rare win in a world of fading batteries. At under 9 pounds, it’s one of the lightest full-suction corded vacuums, making it a top pick for carpeted multi-level homes where cordless models might conk out mid-clean. Its swivel steering and fingertip surface controls make transitions from carpet to hardwood seamless, while the never-loses-suction promise ensures consistent deep-cleaning performance across every pass.

In testing, it maintained peak suction on medium-pile carpets throughout extended sessions, lifting pet hair and fine dust without strain. The handheld conversion was quick and secure, ideal for stairs or car interiors, and the on-board tools (crevice, dusting brush, upholstery tool) stayed accessible. However, the cord management was awkward—no rewind button—and the dust cup, while easy to empty, was on the smaller side. On high-pile rugs, it occasionally pulled, requiring a lighter touch.

Next to the RENDOW cordless, it trades battery freedom for infinite runtime and lower cost, while beating the Bissell Featherweight in suction depth and carpet performance. It’s the best corded lightweight option for carpet lovers who hate charging hassles and want reliable, powerful cleaning every time. For those who value consistent performance over portability, it’s a no-compromise workhorse—offering Shark’s signature agility with raw, corded power.

The Eureka NEU10AE5 is a compact carpet-cleaning specialist built for small spaces and tight storage—a 7.7-pound upright that slips behind doors or under sinks with ease. Despite its size, it packs a 10.5-inch cleaning path and strong all-floor suction, making it surprisingly effective on low- to medium-pile carpets. The included replacement filter extends maintenance cycles, and the washable filter system keeps running costs near zero—ideal for budget-focused buyers who still want eco-conscious, no-fuss cleaning.

In real-world use, it handled daily carpet debris well, though deeper stains required multiple passes. The on-board crevice and dusting tools stayed secure and accessible, and the quick-release handle made above-floor cleaning simple. However, like its green sibling, it lacks a motorized brushroll, relying on suction and bristle agitation alone—fine for surface dirt, but not for deep pet hair entanglement. The compact bin also needed frequent emptying during larger cleanups.

Compared to the Bissell Featherweight, it offers better carpet coverage and upright stability; against the Shark Rocket, it’s cheaper and more compact, though less powerful. It’s the best choice for dorms, studios, or secondary vacuums where space is at a premium but carpet cleaning can’t be sacrificed. For those who need a small footprint without tiny performance, it’s a smart, space-savvy solution—proving that compact doesn’t mean compromised.